Dubai: Batsman Ambati Rayudu is looking up to ‘everybody’s go-to man’ Mahendra Singh Dhoni for inspiration and guidance as a Virat Kohli-less India gear up for the Asia Cup here.
“Obviously he (Virat) is a big miss and loss to the team. However, we still have enough quality to go out and win. He (Dhoni) has been India’s captain and always been the go-to man for everybody in the team,” Rayudu said at a media conference here Sunday. “He (Dhoni) has helped me a lot in terms of how I recovered this season.”
With India yet to settle their middle-order conundrum with less than a year left for the World Cup, there is a chance for players such as Rayudu to cement their places in the team.
“To be very honest, (I) haven’t thought about it (middle-order) or looked at it as a competition. It’s just an opportunity to express myself and (I) don’t want to put more pressure to my game by thinking about these issues,” Rayudu pointed out.
The 32-year-old, returning to the team after a long injury-induced lay-off, added, “I don’t think anybody is actually thinking about the World Cup. We are in for the Asia Cup and I don’t think anybody is thinking about that event right now.”
Obviously it was disappointing to miss out on the limited overs leg of the England tour. However, it feels good after getting picked for Asia Cup and also clearing the yo-yo test
Ambati Rayudu
India’s opening match in the tournament is September 18 against Hong Kong, a day before they take on traditional rivals Pakistan. Rayudu however, asserted that playing back-to-back matches won’t put them at a disadvantage.
“I don’t think it will be a disadvantage. It will be definitely tough and I’m sure we will do best possible things to recover and go out fresh to play the next game.”
Rayudu also said it was frustrating to miss out on the limited overs leg of the England tour despite a stellar IPL season for Chennai Super Kings. Rayudu failed to the make the Indian team after flunking the yo-yo test in his first attempt.
“Obviously it was frustrating to miss out on the England tour. But I’m happy that I can come back and give the test and get picked to play in the Asia Cup,” he said.
After clearing the yo-yo test at the second attempt, Rayudu played for India A in the tri-series involving Australia A and South Africa A, and tasted success.
His 62 not out against Australia A in a low-scoring affair in Bangalore turned out to be a man of the match performance. Against South Africa A at Alur, he made 66.